THE LATEST NEWS:
  • Our latest local COVID-19 numbers: The current tally, as of 10 a.m. this morning, 201 county residents tested, 21 positive, 167 negative, and 13 waiting on test results. Of the 20 positive cases, 13 are males and eight are females.
  • Chillicothe native Jay Timmons, currently the CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, has been appointed to President Donald Trump's Great American Economic Revival Industry groups, which will explore how to re-open the country for business and get employees back to work. The Chamber is a member of NAM.
  • Adena Health System today announced furloughs of employees and projecting a $50 million deficit. The health system also received $7.9 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
ICYMI: Video, slide deck now available for our COVID-19 Zoom seminar earlier this week
The Chamber, Downtown Chillicothe, and Greater Chillicothe and Ross County Economic Development hosted a COVID-19 small business resource Zoom session, but many of you couldn't be there.

Well, there's great news. We now have the video from the session and a PDF of the slide deck from our friends at Small Business Development Center from the OSU South Centers.

In addition, we now have a few anecdotal cases of businesses receiving money from the Paycheck Protection Program or the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The Chamber's position remains clear: All businesses that qualify should apply for these monies. You can always say no if you are accepted and you don't know if you will need this in the weeks and months ahead.
Distanced doesn't have to mean that you are completely disconnected
I’m not sure why, but in looking through my social media and in my contacts with others, people are struggling this week.
 
It’s understandable. We’ve been dealing with non-stop news about COVID-19 for a little more than a month and coming up on a month into staying at home. We still have another two weeks to go before we see the second order end, so it’s completely understandable that so many are anxious and as if they are living in the Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day.”
 
That’s why Gov. Mike DeWine’s “ Strive for Five ” challenge is essential. If you haven’t heard, DeWine has asked Ohioans to reach out to five people they know each day for 30 days. It’s designed to reduce feelings of isolation and reduce fear and anxiety. We strongly encourage everyone to take the challenge and reach out to your friends, family, and co-workers to check-in and help us feel a little more connected.
 
When you reach out, keep it light – we’re all stuck inside, so “What have you been up to?” isn’t a great question – and be specific about what you ask. “Have you seen (a specific show/movie)?” and “How are you occupying your time?” are focused questions to help gauge how the person is doing.
 
A few other ideas:
  • My wife and her friends use an app called “House Party” that allows a group to video chat with each other and play a specific set of games together. It’s pretty fun, and you can lock the conversation to keep out unwanted guests.
  • Another good game is “Psych” from Warner Bros. It’s a phone app that offers a variety of games that test your friends and their knowledge of you and what you like and more. You can make up fake answers or provide the real answers to trivia questions. It’s from the makers of Heads Up.
  • Netflix offers an option to watch a movie with your friends. Now, Netflix Party is only provided through the Google Chrome browser, but you can download the extension for that browser, then invite a friend or group to watch “The Shawshank Redemption” together and chat it out.
 
Those are just a few ways to stay connected virtually and have a little fun. I’ve also added a few more links to stories with other resources.

Are you coming to our Virtual BAB today?
LOCATION
http://chillicotheohio.com/events/#!event/2020/4/15/virtual-business-after-business

DATE AND TIME
04/15/20 5:30pm - 04/15/20 6:30pm

You MUST REGISTER AT: http://chillicotheohio.com/events/#!event/2020/4/15/virtual-business-after-business
I'll be there!
Maybe
I can't make it
*NEW* Information for small business owners
FREE WEBINARS :
  • Thursday, April 16 - Paid Leave Programs under the Families First Act (webinar link)
  • *NEW* Friday, April 17 at noon - Fourth installment of Inc.com National Small Business Town Hall (webinar link)
  • *NEW* Wednesday, April 22 at 10:30 a.m. - U.S. Chamber Workshop Wednesday on employee engagement and company culture. (webinar link)
  • Wednesday, May 6 at 9 a.m. or noon - Grow with Google session: Manage Your Business Remotely in Times of Uncertainty (webinar link)
  • *NEW* VIDEO: The Big Picture: Road Map to Re-opening the Country. To learn more about the U.S. Chamber's Path Forward series, click here.
Miss one of these updates? Click here to catch up!
Coronavirus numbers, facts and figures
Links to information:

  • Looking for a job? The state has a job page on its Coronavirus page that helps connect those out of work with jobs.

  • The Ohio Channel YouTube page, where the Governor, Lt. Gov. and director of the Ohio Department of Health give regular updates at 2 p.m. on most days.

  • Governor's Stay at Home Order (Link)

  • The Chillicothe Ross Community Foundation's Coronavirus Fund needs donations, and can potentially help non-profits with some of the costs of helping the community cope with the impact of COVID-19 in the area.

  • The United Way of Ross County is awarding micro-grants to non-profits working to address community needs due to COVID-19's impact.
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce | Email Mike Throne | chillicotheohio.com